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Staff
Staff Structure
The following Resignations and Retirements took place during 2008:
| RESIGNATIONS | RETIREMENTS | ||
| Administrative | 7 | Administrative | 5 |
| Technical | 4 | Technical | 1 |
| Outdoor | 0 | Outdoor | 10 |
| Contract Posts | 1 | Fire | 0 |
| TOTAL | 12 | TOTAL | 16 |
Staff Returns
Human Resources compiles a return of staff numbers which is submitted to the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government every quarter. The following staff details were returned for quarter ending 31.12.2008:
| SECTOR | NUMBER OF STAFF | WTE (WHOLE TIME EQUIVALENTS) |
| Managerial | 6 | 6 |
| Clerical/Administrative | 169 | 152.5 |
| Professional/Technical | 80 | 80 |
| Outdoor | 243 | 227 |
| Supernumeries | 7 | 7 |
| Contract | 21 | 20.17 |
| National Development Plan Project Staff | 5 | 5 |
| Temporary/Seasonal Staff | 17 | 17 |
| Fire-Fighter | 66 | 20 |
| Non DoEHLG | 12 | 8.5 |
| TOTAL | 626 | 543.17 |
Staff Welfare
Kilkenny Local Authorities have an Employee Assistance Programme in partnership with Quinn Healthcare. The Programme is designed to assist individuals in dealing with their personal and work related problems. The service is provided through a confidential helpline and face to face interaction offering both counselling and information services. The service is a valuable management tool in maintaining employee well-being and enhancing organisational performance.
Industrial Relations
Kilkenny Local Authorities maintained its good industrial relations record.
Staff Leave
The following staff availed of Work Life Balance Schemes:
| Term Time Leave | 12 |
| Work Share | 35 |
| Parental Leave | 23 |
Equality and Diversity
Kilkenny Local Authorities fully subscribe to the principles of equality as set out in the Employment Equality Acts 1998 & 2004. During the year training was provided to staff in equality and diversity which is ongoing. The Equality Action Team work in partnership with the Human Resources Department in ensuring compliance with all policies in relation to equality and diversity.
Service Indicators
The Service Indicators for Kilkenny Local Authorities for 2008 are as follows:
C1. Percentage of Working days lost to sickness absence through
| Certified Leave | 4.74% |
| Uncertified Leave | 0.60% |
C2. Expenditure on Training & Development as a percentage of total Payroll Costs
4.08% (Kilkenny Local Authorities)
Recruitment and Selection
Kilkenny Local Authorities is an equal opportunities employer. Independent Interview Boards are appointed to recommend the most suitable candidates for employment in accordance with the various qualifications and particulars of employment which apply to the grades concerned. Vacancies arising in Kilkenny Local Authorities are advertised as follows:
- Local or National Press
- Kilkenny Local Authorities Website: www.kilkennycoco.ie
- National Website: www.localgovernmentjobs.ie
Twenty Nine [29] separate interviews were held during the year for various permanent and temporary positions. See Table for breakdown of competitions.
List of Interviews
| Competition | No. of Applicants | Placed on Panel | Appointed | |||
| Male | Female | Male | Female | Male | Female | |
| General Operative | 29 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Assistant Engineer | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Environmental Awareness Officer | 0 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| Assistant Planner | 6 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 1 |
| Road Safety Officer | 6 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Summer Students | 55 | 39 | 49 | 32 | 31 | 26 |
| Administrative Officer | 6 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Environmental Technician Grade I | 5 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 2 |
| Assistant Chief Fire Officer | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Staff Officer | 4 | 16 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| Temporary Driver in the Machinery Yard | 17 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Special Works Foreman | 11 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| General Services Supervisor | 19 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Lifeguards | 9 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 6 |
| Temp. Driver Plant operator B Dunmore | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Coffee Shop Manager (Temporary) | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Coffee Shop Assistants (Temporary) | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Tour Guide (Temporary) | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Part-Time Pay Station Attendant | 13 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Technician Grade II | 10 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Community Development Worker | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Access Officer | 6 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Water Works Caretaker Grade III | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fitter Mechanic (Fire Service) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Water Works Caretaker Grade V | 10 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Assistant Chief Fire Officer | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Retained Fire Fighter | 25 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Community Development Worker | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Construction Plant Fitter | 10 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Training Learning and Development
Kilkenny Local Authorities recognise Training, Development and Learning as central to improving customer service, meeting legislative requirements and sustaining staff development. These goals reflect central principles in the Council's Corporate Plan and underpin the Council's Training Policy. Training is a core function within the Human Resource Department. The annual Training Plans are specific to Health and Safety and other general training. These Plans are effective training delivery templates. These Plans derive directly from statutory requirements, organisational needs, performance management and development targets and personal professional formation.
Training delivery is met by means of a combination of in-house and external trainers. Where possible internal trainers are retained as a shared resource between Local Authorities in the South-East Region, as co-ordinated through the Regional Training Centre. The year 2008 saw a strong emphasis on preparation to meet stringent new Health and Safety requirements, relating to road-works and excavations, key areas in meeting service delivery on route-ways and sustaining water services.
Other training provided during the year included the following:
- PMDS Training
- Signing, Lighting and Guarding at Roadworks
- Certificate in Local Government Studies
- Confined Spaces Training
- Diploma in Local Government Studies
- Winter Maintenance
- Various Degree Programmes
- Location of Underground Services
Health and Safety
Safety Consultation/ Committees
Joint Consultative Safety Committee (JCSC)
- Met quarterly
-
Items raised - controlled / provided for: -
- Progress Report 2007 & Safety Programme 2008 information provision
- Corporate Safety Statement provision
- Supervisor H&S Briefing organised
- Lone Working - Painters issue resolution
- Draft Managing Violence & Aggression literature consultation
- Electricity risk in fire fighting
- County Hall - Housekeeping
- National Safety rep conference attendance
- Safety Week Consultation
- Safety Reps sought for Callan, Castlecomer, Library, City Hall
- Safety rep nominations for Callan & City Hall
- Water Services H&S sub - committee set up meeting twice
Safety Management Committee (SMC)
- Met quarterly
- JCSC issue action
- Safety Programme approval & roll out
-
Approval following amendment for:
- H&S Annual report 2007 & Plan 2008
- Construction Project - H&S Requirement Step by Step Guide
- H&S Competency Questionnaire Projects <€50K
- Draft Managing Violence & Aggression literature
South Eastern Regional Advisory Committee (SERAC) -
- Met quarterly
- Occupational Health Guidelines development
- SEMINAR: Health and Safety Requirements for Small-Medium Contractors
Safety Statements
Site/ Job specific Safety Statements
- Template developed
-
Drafts prepared for:
- Area Offices
- Waste Enforcement Checkpoint
- Housing workshop
- Libraries
- Heritage
- Swimming Pool
- AED provision
-
The following Safety Statements were commenced:
- Fire Services - Operations
Training
- Matrix development
Courses
- Safepass Refresher - rolled out for any staff whose cards expired
- Supervisor H&S Briefing
- H&S Induction / Awareness
- CSCS - Signing, Lighting & Guarding Train the Trainer and Assessor course - 2 in-house trainers
- CSCS Signing, Lighting & Guarding Course
- CSCS Location of Underground Services Course
- Guidance for the Control & Management of Traffic at Roadworks
- HSA SERAC Seminar - Workplace Safety: Who is responsible?
- Manual Handling - being rolled out to all staff
- Abrasive wheels
- Chainsaw
- Asbestos awareness
- Forklift
- CSCS Teleporter
- Ride on Lawnmower
- Confined Spaces C1 Managers
- Confined Spaces C2 Supervisors
- Confined Spaces C3 Refresher
- Managing Safety for Construction Project Supervisors
- VDU Assessors
- Safety Harness Inspector Training
Departmental Health & Safety
Roads
-
Roadworks Safety Management System update & training
- Consultation
- Chapter 8 Update
-
Safe System of Work Plan - Working on Roads
- Launched nationally 4th March
- Kilkenny Area Depot Report
- Callan Depot Report
Office
-
Motor Tax
- Chair provision
- Security Report
Environment
Waste Enforcement Checkpoint Job Specific Safety Statement draft
Fire Service
Fire Service - Job Specific Safety Statement: Operations commenced
General
Lone Worker & dealing with Violence & Aggression
Procedure Manual / posters / cards development and circulation via HR
Risk Assessments
Event Safety
- Event Safety LASAG Sub - committee setup
- Homecoming Audit Report
- Homecoming Event Safety Plan
Accident Management & Corrective Action
- Supervisor Briefing - procedure inclusion
- Accident Investigations / Reporting
- Corrective action follow up
Emergency Planning & Equipment Programme
-
Fire extinguisher arrangement -
- Swimming Pool
- Areas
Health Control Programme
- Radon re-monitoring & remedial action
-
Medicals / Health Surveillance:
- Confined Spaces
- Inoculations
- Eye tests
- Manual Handling assessments and training
Design Control & Purchasing
Construction
-
Procedures
- Construction Project - H&S Requirement Step by Step Guide
- Small project competency questionnaire development.
PPE Programme
Roll out
Issue Record Forms implementation.